For Dani Meza of the crushedvelvets, having lived through one aneurysm and two strokes only fueled his desire to make the most of his life and all it has to offer, especially with music. Meza’s latest album with the crushedvelvets centers around themes of healing and vulnerability, stemming from a personal journey of learning to ask for help and reflect on past relationships. This exploration of intimacy and honesty led to an outpouring of creative inspiration.
When discussing the challenges of revisiting these relationships further, Meza acknowledges the fear and discomfort of vulnerability, mainly due to his upbringing, which encouraged emotional restraint. He and I share a desire to break away from these old habits and embrace a more open approach to expressing emotions through music. Another aspect of Meza’s creative process is the importance of boundaries while being emotionally open and vulnerable; he shares that these boundaries are necessary for safety and emotional health. Although Meza is naturally shy, he will take the time to feel comfortable with others.
While discussing selecting musicians for their album, Meza initially connected with a producer, Chris Schlarb, who suggested musicians that fit the desired sound. Meza mentioned specific musicians like Carey Frank and Danny Frankel, highlighting their impressive backgrounds and willingness to be part of the project. Meza desires to collaborate with other talented musicians, like bassist Anna Butters, noting the challenges of narrowing down potential collaborators.
Read on to discover Dani Meza’s unique music favorites!
